Hawthorn forward Luke Breust believes star Cyril Rioli won’t jeopardise the club’s preliminary finals chances by making an early return from a hamstring injury.
Rioli again trained away from the main group on Tuesday after Hawthorn’s qualifying final drubbing of Geelong last Friday night and Breust hopes Rioli will follow the example set by Brent Guerra in 2012 as the Hawks look to make a third consecutive Grand Final appearance.
Guerra ruled himself out of the 2012 Grand Final after failing to overcome a hamstring injury sustained in the final home and away round before returning to play in last year’s premiership side.
“Cyril has been training well, so whether it’s this week or next week, we’ll just to wait and see and leave that to the medical staff,” Breust said.
“You’d back the player in, similar to Brent Guerra … he ruled himself out pretty early.
“I’m sure Cyril would do something similar — if he wasn’t right, then he’d definitely say ‘no’ to the medical staff and wouldn’t put the team in jeopardy.”
The 25-year-old hasn’t played since late June, last appearing in the round 15 win over Gold Coast. Despite playing in just 11 games this season, Rioli’s averages of 15.9 disposals and 4.4 marks per contest are slightly above his career averages and Breust acknowledges the inclusion of such a tremendous talent would force Hawthorn prelim final opponent Fremantle or Port Adelaide to tinker with their game plan.
“I guess it would put a little bit of doubt in the opposition’s minds, what he’s going to do — whether he’s going to play sub or whether he’s going to start on the field,” Breust added.
“I’m sure they’d make decisions around that, because of how special a player he is.”
Hawthorn also have big decisions to make regarding regulars Ben McEvoy, Matt Suckling, Angus Litherland and Ryan Schoenmakers, who were each missing from last weekend’s action and are expected to be in contention for a return to the Hawthorn 22.
Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
